Gentle chiropractic support for unsettled babies in Chelsea Heights
If your baby seems uncomfortable, cries for long periods, or struggles to feed or sleep, you’re not alone. Many parents come to us feeling exhausted and unsure where to turn. At Living Chiropractic, we support families through these early challenges with gentle, age-appropriate chiropractic care designed to help settle your baby and improve their comfort.
What is colic or irritable baby syndrome?
Colic is often described as excessive crying or fussiness in babies who appear otherwise healthy. While the cause isn’t always clear, contributing factors can include:
Digestive discomfort
Tension in the spine or nervous system
Birth stress or strain
Head or neck favouring
Difficulty with latching or feeding
We take a whole-body view to understand what might be causing your baby’s discomfort and work gently to help restore calm and balance.
Common signs your baby may benefit from chiropractic care:
Arching during feeding or while trying to settle
Difficulty turning their head both ways
Fussing or crying that’s difficult to soothe
Favouring one breast or one side of the body
Flat spots or uneven head shape (plagiocephaly)
Clicking while feeding, poor latch, or slipping off the breast
How chiropractic care may help
Our chiropractors use specific low-force techniques tailored for newborns and infants. These gentle adjustments focus on easing spinal tension, improving movement, and calming the nervous system. This may help with:
Comfort during feeding and sleep
Reduced crying or fussiness
Better head and neck mobility
General relaxation and ease
We always take the time to listen, assess carefully, and work with other healthcare providers when needed—because your baby’s wellbeing is our priority.
Related concerns: Feeding challenges & head shape
Feeding difficulties and flat spots are common concerns for unsettled babies. A tight jaw or neck can make it difficult for your baby to latch or stay latched, and can lead to frustration for both of you. Babies who favour one side may also develop a flat spot on their head (known as plagiocephaly).
At Living Chiropractic, we support your baby’s feeding and head shape by gently improving movement and reducing muscle tension. We also provide guidance on home care, tummy time, and positioning to encourage better development.
A calm, supportive approach for families
We understand that having an unsettled baby can affect the whole household. Our team offers gentle, respectful care in a welcoming environment, taking the time to explain everything and support you at each stage. Many families notice their baby becomes more settled and feeds or sleeps more comfortably within a few visits.
What does the research say?
More and more families are exploring chiropractic care to support their baby’s comfort, and there’s growing research that reflects what many parents already report—that their baby seems more settled, sleeps better, and feeds with greater ease after gentle chiropractic care.
A well-known study of over 300 infants found that 94% showed improvement in colic symptoms, often within just a few visits to a chiropractor (Klougart, Nilsson & Jacobsen, JMPT, 1989).
A 2009 survey comparing babies with colic who received chiropractic care to those who didn’t showed better long-term outcomes for sleep, behaviour, and wellbeing in the chiropractic group (Miller & Phillips, JMPT, 2009).
A 2019 systematic review noted a modest but meaningful reduction in crying time for babies with colic following manual therapy, with no serious adverse events reported (Innes et al., JMPT, 2019).
More recent studies, including a 2021 review by Todd et al., recognised positive changes in sleep and behaviourin some unsettled infants, and highlighted that parents consistently reported high satisfaction and observed benefits after chiropractic care.
The Best Practice Guidelines for chiropractic care of children, published in 2021, support the use of chiropractic by trained professionals as a safe and appropriate option when tailored to the child’s age and needs (Cramer et al., JMPT, 2021).
As shared by renowned chiropractor Dr Jennifer Barham-Floreani in her book Well Adjusted Babies (2005), gentle chiropractic care can play a valuable role in supporting a baby’s comfort, feeding, digestion, and early development.
It’s important to know that chiropractic care does not claim to cure colic. However, by gently addressing spinal tension and supporting nervous system function, many families find it helps their baby feel more at ease. Our chiropractors use techniques specifically tailored for newborns and always work collaboratively with other health professionals when needed.
Book a gentle baby chiropractic appointment in Chelsea Heights
If you’re looking for a natural and supportive approach to help your unsettled baby feel more at ease, we’re here for you.
📍 Proudly serving Chelsea Heights, Bonbeach, Carrum, Aspendale, Patterson Lakes & surrounding suburbs
📞 Call us on 03 9580 2282 or Book online to start your journey to better posture and spinal health.
